[thymebalm]

On hockey night in Canada and in the Darryl Sutter interview, he mentioned how different the defensive core is this year compared to last. I’m looking at the roster, and not only is it well balanced, with grit, speed, vision and size, but all six guys are having near career best years.

Tanev
2020 - 69GP, 2G, 18A, 20pts, +4
2022 - 44GP, 4G, 14A, 18pts, +26

Tanev scored 6 goals 2014, and has individual career highs of 18A, 20pts, and +15. Offensive output isn’t even what’s expected of him, but he’s been amazing for the Flames all around, and will likely surpass his assists, points, and +/- bests.

Kylington
2019 - 33GP, 3G, 5A, 8Pts, +3
2022 - 47GP, 6G, 18A, 24pts, +27

Kylington showed promise in junior, the AHL, and in his rookie year with sheltered minutes. This year he exploded, and already has career highs in G, A, Pts, +/-, and will hit a career high for games in a couple more (48 career high). Most exciting D in the system.

Andersson
2020 - 70GP, 5G, 17A, 22pts, -7
2022 - 48GP, 2, 25A, 27Pts, +14

Andersson is the future captain material and a dynamic defender. He's already hit career highs in Points, Assists, and could very likely eclipse plus/minus (+17) this year as well. This is all while shooting at 2.2%. He's scored 5 goals in a season twice.

Nikita Zadorov
2018 - 77GP, 7G, 13A, 20Pts, +4
2022 - 41GP, 3G, 10A, 13Pts, +5
Big Z has been a great addition to the blue line, and is having his best year in the last three. Depending how the rest of his season goes he could reach his career highs in assists (13) and Points (20). He's going to have tougher battle reaching goals (7), +/- (+19) but its possible. If Zadarov doesn't hit a career high in points he might be the only one to miss the mark.

Noah Hanafin
2019 - 80GP, 5G, 28A, 33Pts, +18
2022 - 47GP, 5G, 18A, 23Pts, +10

Hanafin is another that could hit a new career high in points (33), and could flirst with a new highs in assists (28A), and +/- (+18). He scored 10 goals in 2018.

Erik Gudbranson
2015 - 76GP, 4G, 9A, 13Pts, -4
2022 - 48GP, 3G, 8A, 11Pts, +6

Gudbranson needs two more points to tie a career high at (13). One more goal would match a career high (4). One more apple would be a career high as well (9). He is holding his career best +/- (second is +3). No doubt in my mind he has his best offensive year ever while still being a rock in his own end. At 30 years old, he's looking more like a former #3 overall pick than ever before.

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So, what do you think? Will all the Flames D have career high offensive seasons while allowing the fewest GA as a team? It's a really great core. Knowing that Valimaki is in the wings is comforting as well. For me, they rate right up there with the Regehr, Lydman, Leopold, Warrener, Ference, Gauthier, Commodore/Mondator group. Maybe even more exciting as a group.